Isaac Fox

Well-written but Vile

Reviewed: 12-10-24

I am a long-time Card fan. This book displays the reliably well-crafted stories, scenes, psychological insights and semi-profound revelations I have come to expect from this author. However, it covers subjects that I found to be disturbing--not by their inclusion--but by their presentation. He presents clearly vile and diagusting behavior as if it is merely normal and unremarkable. It is terrible departure from the moral framework which Orson Scott Card typically draws from--that being one of the main reasons I have been a fan of his for so long.

It is an interesting read, but has very little merit overall. It is definitively the worst Card novel I have read. It got two stars instead of one, only because of the excellent quality of writing and the narrator's classic and reliable skill in performance.

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Excellent

Reviewed: 12-05-24

A fantastic performance of one of my favorite plays. Solid in virtually every way. For the particular, there will always be things to criticize, but I think any fan of this play will not be disappointed.

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1 person found this helpful

Tragic, Comprehensible, and Necessary

Reviewed: 11-22-24

This is an excellent and insightful journey to understand what has happened to America and the West as a whole. It is awful to underatand, hard to accept, but absolutely necessary if there is any hope of redemption for our nation. And, if not, it is vital for Christians to understand what is soon coming for us, that we may be prepared to face it all with courage and faith.

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Solid

Reviewed: 10-25-23

I cannot say I was blown away. I was not gripped, but I did find this novel to be a good start to what could become an amazing story.

The attitudes and perspectives of almost all of the female characters make them annoying and not nearly as likeable they could or shoulf be. The constant guy being ordered around by the nearest woman trope was used so many times it became old in this book alone, let alone the infinite times its been used elsewhere to permanently equivalent irritating effect. It is all unnecessary and adds nothing good to the story. On the other hand, most stories these days are far worse. Unsurprisingly, this book was written more than 30 years ago.

Aside from that, the action scenes are also a little wanting, but it manages to remain exciting even when a lot of action is happening "off-screen" which became frustrating after about the two-thirds point.

Lastly, the male narrator really lacks vocal range to really give life to the array of differing characters. He does an a decent job, but I have definitely heard better. For a series this epic, I was surprised at how lackluster his performance comes across. Little emotion, no real raising of his voice even when the characters are supposed to be screaming. Anyway, it's still good, just not great and for the reputation these books have I expected great.

All I can say overall, is that this is a good start. We will see if the series rises above that in later books.

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Essential!

Reviewed: 10-11-23

This is the clearest, most straightforward book on the fundamentals of demonization and what to do about it I have ever read, and I have read a good number of books on the subject.

In our current age, demonization at every level is increasing, not decreasing. As such, Christians need to arm themselves with this knowledge that they might better be able to minister as the Hands and Feet of Jesus to this ever-darkening world.

The time is now, for us to stand up and stop being cowards, conveniently looking the other way when it is uncomfortable to do otherwise. Too many people are suffering, and we havr no valif excuse to continue sitting on the sidelines---at least, not while we want to call ourselves Christians.

Buy, borrow, read, and/or listen to this book and pick up your sword. Step onto the battlefield and watch what God will then do through a willing servant.

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Decent

Reviewed: 09-14-23

This was an interesting collection of short stories featuring the figure of Solomon Kane, a supposed Puritan. I found the character to be inherently hypocritical, claiming to be a Puritan yet confessing on several occasions that some kinds of evil could only be fought or defeated with other kinds of devilry. No sincere Puritan could ever think that for a second, no Chrisstian of any time period would believe such nonsense. Thus, these stories make a parody of Christianity.

Aside from this, the stories were generally engaging, however they were all overlayed with a sense of the darkness, depressing, and rarely any sense of real victory, redemption, or anything legitimately positive---even when Kane technically won the battle, the tales consistently left a melancholic aftertaste in one's mouth. Something not of the romantic variety either, not bittersweet, but rather a sense of hopelessness, of a heavy misery that evil somehow will always continue on, or something to that effect.

As they are classics of a sort, I am glad I went through them for research purposes. However, I wouldn't want them on my shelf nor would I partake in them again nor would I actually recommend them to anyone.

I also didn't love the narrator. He was alright, but I found something absent from his performance.

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Better than Book 2

Reviewed: 08-29-23

This chapter of the Dune saga was more engaging than the second, though it was slow to get going and slower still to be drawn in. At its best it is still average and never rises to any notable literary heights. Herbert's genius is lost in the monotonous nihilism and miserable philosophical perspectives. Endless details about endless things that no one cares about.

However, there are new characters who are much sympathetic and engaging than those in the previous book--the sole saving grace of this book. You'll find an interesting plot and various unexpected elements--some of which are completely distasteful.

Certain ideological concepts of a particular political persuasion that is positively hateful and factually untrue also begin to show themselves more overtly in this book (the seeds thereof noticeable only slightly in the previous books).

All in all, while this one is better than its predecessor, it is by no means "good."

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A Fair Continuation

Reviewed: 08-29-23

What is found in this book is a sequel. A furthering of the story. It is not nearly as engaging as the first book, and the some of the bizzare speech mannerisms of the narrators were annoying and took you out of the story.

Mostly though, I appreciate its (at least partial) acknowledgement of the evil of this intergalactic jihad. However, the justification and empty philosphical moralizing was just irritating. There is no hero here. Nothing to root for, no one to really care about. It felt almost like documentary of sci-fi intrigue, boring, and pompous in its asumed self-importance. But it isn't important, it is a story that leaves you with little more than when you started---at least nothing positive.

My recommendation? Read the first book and stop there.

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Solid Sci-fi but Unfortunate Voice-acting Choices

Reviewed: 08-21-23

For all of the hype I had heard surrounding this book and this series, I personally found this book to be somewhat underwhelming. That is not to say that it was not good or worth the time. It certainly was and it is easy to see how it has become a classic within the science fiction genre.

It has a sweeping new world with new monsters in the sand worms and new technologies. It is a plot full of political intrigue, unexpected turns, and destiny versus free will. It contains cultures well-made and believable.

However, it is unavoidably bleak and with unsubtle strains of the nihilist throughout. I found myself asking myself on numerous occasions that, according to the religious (or areligious) and cosmic structures within the world: Why does any of this matter?

Additionally, it was very frustrating and confusing to have more than one voice actor playing the same character. I have never heard any audiobook do that and for good reason---it was a terrible decision. Most of the time it is tolerable but at certain points it really became a bother.

As a whole it was an essential contribution to sci-fi classic literary world and is an enjoyable imaginative ride. We shall see if the series can maintain an upward trend or get mired in the nihilism and endless political intrigue.

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Solid

Reviewed: 08-05-23

While this is but a narrow and humanistic perspective on the subject, it is well worth the time. It is a good addition to the general body of work covering mass manipulation, propaganda, etc.

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